SPORTS Direct International said robust trading over the Easter holiday had kept it on course to meet its recently improved profits target.

The owner of the Sports World chain added that sales for the nine weeks to March 28 rose 2.9 per cent to £214 million, with profits up 7.9 per cent to £76 million.

The performance, coupled with strong Easter demand and the start of a likely World Cup-related trading boost, should ensure the company meets its underlying earnings target of £160 million for the year to April 25.

It raised expectations for full-year earnings in February after previously increasing the target from £140 million to £155 million in December.